A record-breaking number of musicians will be taking part in this year’s Oswestry Youth Music Festival which runs from 25 February to 2 March.
Now in its 48th year, the festival has had 551 entries involving almost 50 schools and around 1,000 talented young musicians.
As well as musicians from Oswestry, there are entries from other parts of Shropshire, north and mid Wales, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Birmingham and Norway.
During the week-long festival, there will be more than 90 competitive classes ranging from solo singing to rock bands and choirs, and solo instrumental to instrumental ensembles.
Festival organiser Sue Turner said: “It’s wonderful to know that there are so many talented young musicians out there, and great to see our festival attracting international interest. We pride ourselves on being a very friendly festival, and although competition is high, we do our best to make everyone feel welcome and at ease.”
Performances will take place throughout the week at Chapel Street venues in the heart of Oswestry culminating in a finals concert at Christchurch. Entry to all performances is free and members of the public are very welcome to attend.
As the festival is affiliated with the British and International Federation of Festivals, it will once again use adjudicators trained to the federation’s professional standards. This year’s adjudicators are John Powell, Nadia Hinson, Angela Rowley and Daniel Chandler.
Sue said: “The adjudicators know our festival well and we are looking forward to welcoming them back for what promises to be another fantastic festival of talent. A huge thanks to Oswestry Town Council for its continued support.”
The festival programme is available to download from Oswestry Town Council’s website from early February. Copies priced £2 are also available from the Guildhall and will be available at each performance venue.
Follow Oswestry Youth Festival Facebook page for the latest festival news.
If you would like to volunteer at this year’s festival, email Sue at susanhturner@hotmail.co.uk or telephone Oswestry Town Council on 01691 680222.
